View source for Carlos Mortensen

{{Short description|Ecuadorian poker player (born 1972)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox poker player
| name = Carlos Mortensen
| nickname = El Matador<ref name="CP-ElMatador" />
| image = Carlos Mortensen 2015.jpg
| caption = Mortensen at the 2015 $10,000 [[World Poker Tour|WPT]] No Limit Hold'em Championship
| residence = United States
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|4|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[San Juan de Ambato|Ambato]], Ecuador
| wsop bracelet count = 2
| wsop money finishes = 21
| wsop main event best finish rank = Winner
| wsop main event best finish year = 2001
| wpt titles = 3
| wpt final tables = 6
| wpt money finishes = 21
| ept titles = ''None''
| ept final tables = ''None''
| ept money finishes = 1
| updated = 2010-09-13
}}

'''Juan Carlos Mortensen''' (born 13 April 1972, in [[San Juan de Ambato|Ambato]], [[Ecuador]]) is an [[Ecuador]]ian professional [[poker]] player of [[Denmark|Danish]] descent and the first [[South American]] [[WSOP Main Event|Main Event]] winner of the [[World Series of Poker]]. Mortensen is known for his loose play, bluffing tactics, and interesting chip-stacking style.<ref name="CP-ElMatador">{{Cite web |last=Shulman |first=Allyn Jaffrey |date=31 December 2004 |title=Juan Carlos Mortensen: El Matador! |url=http://www.cardplayer.com/magazine/article/14433 |access-date=13 May 2008 |website=CardPlayer.com |archive-date=5 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205121158/http://www.cardplayer.com/magazine/article/14433 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, Mortensen was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame.

== Poker career ==
=== World Series of Poker ===
Mortensen moved from Spain to the United States in the late 1990s to play poker.{{cn|date=June 2023}} He won $1,500,000 at the [[2001 World Series of Poker]] (WSOP) Main Event.  Mortensen defeated a then-record field of 613 players, including a final table that included professional players [[Mike Matusow]] (sixth), [[1989 WSOP]] Main Event champion [[Phil Hellmuth]] (fifth), [[Phil Gordon (poker player)|Phil Gordon]] (fourth), and [[Dewey Tomko]] (second).<ref>{{Cite web |title=32nd World Series of Poker - WSOP 2001, Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3066 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604135250/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3066 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the final hand, Mortensen's {{cards|K♣|Q♣}} out-drew and defeated Tomko's {{cards|A♠|A♥}}, when Mortensen's hand improved to make a straight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Julio |date=14 November 2011 |title=The Ten -- Poker's Most Unlucky Players at the World Series of Poker Final Table |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/12317-the-ten-poker-s-most-unlucky-players-at-the-world-series-of-poker-final-table |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=CardPlayer |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625182609/https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/12317-the-ten-poker-s-most-unlucky-players-at-the-world-series-of-poker-final-table |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mortensen won his second career bracelet at the [[2003 World Series of Poker]] in the $5,000 Limit Hold'em event, earning $251,680.  He defeated professional player Mark Gregorich heads-up to win the title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=34th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2003, Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=5551 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625182638/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=5551 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the [[2006 World Series of Poker]], Carlos made three final tables. He finished in ninth place in Event #2 (No Limit Hold'em) winning $71,617.<ref>{{Cite web |title=37th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2006, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15811 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625182731/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15811 |url-status=live }}</ref> He once again finished in ninth place in Event #6 (NL Hold 'em), earning him $73,344.<ref>{{Cite web |title=37th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2006, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15815 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625182758/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15815 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mortensen came up just short of winning his third bracelet in Event #33 ([[Razz (poker)|Razz]]), where he finished runner-up to fellow professional [[James Richburg]], earning him $94,908.<ref>{{Cite web |title=37th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2006, 7 Card Razz |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15842 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625182823/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15842 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mortensen finished in 10th place in the [[2013 WSOP]] Main Event, being the "Final Table Bubble Boy."<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Will |date=14 May 2018 |title=2013 WSOP Main Event: Where Are They Now? |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/2013-wsop-main-event-where-are-they-now |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=PGT |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813144027/https://www.pgt.com/news/2013-wsop-main-event-where-are-they-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2013 |agency=Associated Press |title=Seasoned pro tops final table at World Series of Poker |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/poker/2013/07/16/world-series-of-poker-final-table-jc-tran/2520443/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=22 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722192713/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/poker/2013/07/16/world-series-of-poker-final-table-jc-tran/2520443/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mortensen's victory in the 2001 Main Event earned him his [[World Series of Poker bracelet| first gold bracelet]]; this began a string of eleven consecutive years where the winner of the Main Event earned their first bracelet.  As a result of the [[poker boom]], which ignited when [[Chris Moneymaker]] won the Main Event [[2003 World Series of Poker|two years]] after Mortensen, the fields in the tournament increased exponentially, eventually surpassing 10,000 entrants in [[2023 World Series of Poker|2023]], and making it unlikely for individual players to maintain consistent success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Michael |date=29 June 2023 |title="Enjoyable is not a word I'd use" – Chris Moneymaker and the truth behind the poker boom, 20 years on |url=https://www.poker.org/chris-moneymaker-and-the-truth-behind-the-poker-boom/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Poker.org |language=en-US |archive-date=6 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706010253/https://www.poker.org/chris-moneymaker-and-the-truth-behind-the-poker-boom/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kensing |first=Kyle |date=23 May 2023 |title=Busted: The 2003 World Series of Poker and the fleeting Poker Boom |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/poker-boom-20-years-later-chris-moneymaker.html |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630010748/https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/poker-boom-20-years-later-chris-moneymaker.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nathan |first=Eric |date=24 May 2023 |title=20 Years Ago Chris Moneymaker Won The WSOP Main Event And Started The Poker Boom |url=https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3468378/20-years-ago-chris-moneymaker-won-the-wsop-main-event-and-started-the-poker-boom |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Barstool Sports |language=en |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525074225/https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3468378/20-years-ago-chris-moneymaker-won-the-wsop-main-event-and-started-the-poker-boom |url-status=live }}</ref>  It would not be until [[2012 World Series of Poker|the 2012 event]] that a Main Event winner had won a prior bracelet ([[Greg Merson]], and matched by [[Espen Jørstad]] in [[2022 World Series of Poker|2022]]), and not until 2023 that a Main Event winner had won a  bracelet in a year prior to their victory (2023 winner [[Daniel Weinman]] won his first bracelet in 2022).  

==== World Series of Poker bracelets ====
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Tournament
! Prize (US$)
|-
| [[2001 World Series of Poker|2001]]
| $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
| $1,500,000
|-
| [[2003 World Series of Poker|2003]]
| $5,000 Limit Hold'em
| $251,680
|}

=== World Poker Tour ===
In 2004, he won the [[World Poker Tour]] (WPT) [[World_Poker_Tour_season_3_results#Festa_Al_Lago_(Doyle_Brunson_North_American_Poker_Championship)|Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship]] for $1,000,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Festa al Lago III Poker Tournament, The Doyle Brunson North American No Limit Hold'em Poker Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=8263 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625183049/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=8263 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mortensen won the [[World Poker Tour season 5 results|Season Five]] [[World Poker Tour]] championship event for a $3,970,415 first place prize, his largest tournament cash to date, and his second career WPT title, making him the first player in professional poker history to ever win the World Championship events at both the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fifth Annual Five Star World Poker Classic, WPT - No Limit Hold'em Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=24516 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220114514/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=24516 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, Mortensen won the [[World_Poker_Tour_season_8_results#Hollywood_Poker_Open|Season 8]] WPT Hollywood Poker Open.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hollywood Poker Open, No Limit Hold'em - WPT Championship Event: Hendon Mob Poker Database |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=43659 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406164025/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=43659 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Other poker tournaments ===
Mortensen has made the prize money in the [[World Heads-Up Poker Championship]], and was a semi-finalist in the second season of the [[Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, Heads-Up No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=12405 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924183153/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=12405 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mortensen had a good run at the 2007 [[European Poker Tour]] Main Event in [[Monte Carlo]] finishing 11th.<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Poker Tour - EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final, No Limit Hold'em - EPT Grand Final |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=23160 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601032547/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=23160 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2006, he and his wife, fellow poker player Cecilia Reyes Mortensen, divorced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WPT Ladies Night III to Benefit Breast Cancer Research |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/589-wpt-ladies-night-iii-to-benefit-breast-cancer-research |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=CardPlayer |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625181449/https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/589-wpt-ladies-night-iii-to-benefit-breast-cancer-research |url-status=live }}</ref>{{cn|date=June 2023}}

As of August 2017, his total live tournament winnings exceed $12,100,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carlos Mortensen's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=178 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622160109/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=178 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> His 21 cashes as the WSOP account for over $3,200,000 of those winnings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carlos Mortensen |url=https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=213 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625181706/https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=213 |archive-date=25 June 2023 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=[[World Series of Poker|WSOP.com]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100824062344/http://gw1.geneanet.org/index.php3?b=ecuadorgen '''GENEALOGY''', family origins of Carlos Mortensen] at the [[Geneanet]] database
*[https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/1239-carlos-mortensen Card Player profile]
* [http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=178 Hendon Mob profile]
*[https://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/juan-carlos-mortensen/ PokerNews profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080401004648/http://www.worldpokertour.com/Shared/Players/Bios/C/Carlos_Mortensen.aspx WPT profile]
* [https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=213 WSOP profile]

{{WSOP Main Event champions}}
{{WPT Championship winners}}
{{2000s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{Poker Hall of Fame}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mortensen, Carlos}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ecuadorian people of Danish descent]]
[[Category:Ecuadorian poker players]]
[[Category:World Poker Tour winners]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker Main Event winners]]
[[Category:Poker Hall of Fame inductees]]